1. harsh, unpleasant combinations of musical sounds; lack of harmony in music
Usage: music theory
2. disagreements or conflicts between ideas, beliefs, or situations
Usage: figurative use

Examples

• The composer deliberately used dissonances to create tension in the piece.
• Jazz musicians often explore complex dissonances in their improvisations.
• The dissonances in the orchestra’s performance made the audience uncomfortable.
• There were clear dissonances between his public statements and private actions.
• The novel explores the dissonances between traditional values and modern life.
• Cultural dissonances emerged when the two companies merged.
• The artist’s work reflects the dissonances of contemporary society.